Okay, I felt this was probably best posted in Caliber Corner, even though it involves Glock pistols and a LE agency. If I chose incorrectly, hopefully it'll be moved as necessary.

Apparently, according to the news article ( fingers crossed :whistling: :rofl: ) Madison PD (AL) has decided change calibers in their Glock pistols from .45 (?) to .40 S&W because of the cost of ammunition.

Does anyone here know whether they were using .45 ACP or .45GAP?

Also, why were they paying $40/box for .45 ammunition (of either .45 caliber), but they can get .40 for $20/box? Is there a state or local LE/Gov ammunition contract that provides for the reduced cost of the .40 ammunition?

Just curious.

I know that out here (CA) the last state contract had really low bid pricing for 9mm and .40 S&W, but there wasn't any .45 ACP (or .45GAP) on the contract, so agencies had to try and wrangle the best deal they could for the .45 ammunition (if they used it).

The article:
http://www.waff.com/story/16040239/the-cost-of-bullets-is-changing-things-with-madison-pd

cowboy1964

11-25-2011, 16:25

I'll bet they were using ACP, not GAP.

Those prices don't make sense. You can get 45 ACP practice ammo at Walmart for < $20. You can get quality HPs like Gold Dots for $30 at many online places.

I predict a resurgence of 9mm among very budget stretched departments in the coming years as more and more budgets get squeezed as the economy self-destructs.

fastbolt

11-25-2011, 17:03

Yeah, I know how ammunition costs can vary quite a bit, depending how an agency procures it.

But $40 for a 50-rd box seems too close to retail/commercial pricing for some of the better hollowpoints, though.

I don't remember what the pricing at my former agency was for .45 when it's purchased in decent quantities (20-50K orders, every few months,depending), but it wasn't as affordable as the 9mm & .40 being sold under the state contract ($95.30/case for the 124gr +P 9mm T-Series and $105.58/case for the 180gr .40 T-Series, which makes the cost of a 50-rd box rather affordable ... and last time I looked, the state bid ammo can be ordered in quantities as small as a single case).

I just wondered if anyone had some better info that what's printed in a news article.

JBP55

11-25-2011, 17:58

With the recent hefty price increase Gold Dot is in the $17, $19, $21 neighborhood for the 9mm, .40, .45 ammunition for LEA's. Lawman practice ammunition after the recent hefty price increase is about $11, $13, $15 for 9mm, .40, .45 for LEA's. This will vary slightly with different contracts and different brands.